Recall Alert: Kitchen Appliances and Childrens' Toys - April 2007

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using these products unless otherwise instructed.

Maytag Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

Name of product: Maytag® and Jenn-Air® brand dishwashers

Units: About 2.3 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser and come into contact with the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can short-circuit and ignite, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 135 reports of dishwasher fires, resulting in product and/or property damage. Four injuries have been reported, including three reports of smoke inhalation and one serious hand laceration when operating a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in the dishwasher.

Description: The recall involves Maytag® and Jenn-Air® under counter or portable plastic tub dishwashers. The dishwashers have black, white, almond, bisque and stainless steel front panels. Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from July 1997 through June 2001 for between $370 and $800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. Contact Maytag for either a free in-home repair, or a $75 cash back reimbursement following the purchase of a new Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Whirlpool® or KitchenAid® dishwasher. Consumers should not return the dishwasher to the retailer where it was purchased, as retailers are not prepared to take units back.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag Corporation at (800) 675-0535 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.repair.maytag.com

Easy-Bake Ovens Recalled for Repair Due to Entrapment and Burn Hazards

Name of product: Easy-Bake Ovens

Units: About 985,000

Manufacturer: Easy-Bake, a division of Hasbro, Inc., of Pawtucket, R.I.

Hazard: Young children can insert their hands into the oven’s opening and get their hands or fingers caught, posing an entrapment and burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Easy-Bake has received 29 reports of children getting their hands or fingers caught in the oven’s opening, including five reports of burns.

Description: The Easy-Bake Oven is a purple and pink plastic oven that resembles a kitchen range with four burners on top and a front-loading oven. “Easy Bake” is printed on the front of the oven. Model number 65805 and “Hasbro” are stamped into the plastic on the back of the oven. The Easy Bake Oven is an electric toy and is not recommended for children under eight years of age. Ovens sold before May 2006 are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, KB Toys and other retailers nationwide from May 2006 through February 2007 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact Easy-Bake between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET 7 days a week to receive a free retrofit kit with consumer warning. Caregivers should keep the Easy Bake Oven away from children under eight years of age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Easy-Bake at (800) 601-8418, or visit the firm’s website at www.easybake.com

Fisher-Price Recalls “Laugh and Learn” Bunny Toys Due to Choking Hazard

Name of product: “Laugh and Learn” Learning Bunny Toys

Units: About 500,000 (an additional 700,000 were sold worldwide)

Importer: Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: The pink pompom nose can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Laugh and Learn Learning Bunny that measures about 10-inches tall. The yellow bunny with one green and one orange ear has musical and counting sound effects. The words, “Laugh and Learn” are printed on the bunny’s shirt. Product numbers involved in the recall are: K0468, K2960, K2961, K2962, K2963, K2964, K2965, K3440, K6898, K7884, L0327, and K5862. The product numbers are located on the fabric tag sewn to the body of the bunny. Only bunnies with three dimensional pompom noses are included in this recall. Bunnies with flat or embroidered noses are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: Discount department stores and toy stores nationwide May 2006 through December 2006 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price to arrange for the return of the bunny to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the customer’s choice.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (866) 447-5003 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.service.mattel.com

Safety Alert: CFM U.S. Corp. Multi-Purpose Gas Lighters Sold at Wal-Mart Lack Safety Warning Labels

Name of product: Multi-Purpose Gas Lighters

Units: About 1.8 million

Importer: CFM U.S. Corp., of Huntington, Ind.

Hazard: The lighters do not have a label in English containing precautionary information concerning the proper use and operation. Failure to follow the instructions in the warning label could result in injury.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves three models of multi-purpose butane lighters sold under the brand name, The Grill Care Company®. The lighters are nine or 11 inches long and have the words "The Grill Care Company" and “NOM” printed on the label affixed to each lighter. The lighter’s body comes in several colors. Only lighters that have Spanish warnings and do not have English warnings are included in this recall.

Sold at: Wal-Mart from February 2006 through January 2007 for between $1 and $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact CFM to obtain safety warning labels in English and instructions for proper placement of the labels on the lighters.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact CFM toll-free at (866) 333-4833 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

This page only lists some of the recent recalls of potentially dangerous products. To find out about other product recalls, visit the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.